Before the glass ones mirrors become objects of everyday use, people looked to polished bronze for a reflection of their appearance.
Often, these objects were adorned with three-dimensional symbols on their curved surface, but some had an additional dimension of mystery. Researching archival material at Cincinnati Art Museum, curator Hou-mei Sung unearthed an object that looked like an ordinary “mirror“, on the back of which was his name Amitābha Buddha.
Upon closer investigation he realized that the small brass object revealed, when illuminated, a hidden image of Buddha within rays.
Now characterized as “Magic mirror”, this extremely rare work of art is part of a small collection of translucent objects dating from the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BC to 220 AD).
Few Buddhist artifacts from China and Japan are believed to have survived and are currently housed in the Shanghai Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The curator’s discovery at the Cincinnati Art Museum is believed to be the earliest such object to have come to light and was most likely a decorative item in a temple or the home of a wealthy family.
From July 23, as reported by the Athens News Agency, anyone in Cincinnati will be able to see the “mirror” and its hidden image.
Source: News Beast
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